Sexual Assault

If You are a Victim of Sexual Assault, You Should

Go to a safe place.

Preserve all physical evidence. Do not bathe, douche, brush teeth, wash hands, or change your clothing, or remove anything from the crime scene until you have talked with a campus patrol officer and/or the police.

Incidents that occur on campus should be reported to Campus Patrol immediately at 801.832.2525 or 801.694.6176. Campus Patrol officers can also assist you in filing a complaint with the Salt Lake City Police Department. Incidents that occur off campus should be reported to the Salt Lake City Police Department at 801.799.3000.

Whether the incident happens on or off campus, Westminster staff will assist in any way possible and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 801.832.2525 or 801.694.6176.

Emotional Support

One of the most important actions to take following a sexual assault is to find someone who can provide you with emotional support. Once you feel that you are being listened to and supported, other decisions are easier to make. Choose someone who will support and respect your decisions.

Medical Attention

Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Prompt medical attention may prevent unwanted pregnancy and potential diseases and detect hidden injuries. Additionally, evidence can be gathered at this time for use in the future should you decide to press charges. Do not bathe or shower prior to seeking medical attention. It is also helpful to maintain any articles that could be used as evidence (e.g., clothing) by placing them in separate bags.

Many victims of sexual assault are unsure of what to do. They may be ashamed to talk to anyone or be afraid that no one will believe them. Sometimes, victims feel that the assault is somehow their fault. Our primary concern is that the victim receives proper medical attention and counseling. Assistance is also available related to changes in one's academic schedule and living arrangements.

Although many victims are reluctant to report sexual assaults to campus or local law enforcement authorities, prompt notification is very helpful. Filing a report does not commit you to pressing charges against an assailant, but the information you provide about an incident or individual may be critical to security and to the police in preventing further violence. If you are unsure about whether or not you want to report an assault, talk with a member of the Counseling Center at 801.832.2237 or call the Rape Recovery Center at 801.467.7273 for more information about your options. Additionally, you may talk to Westminster's interim Title IX coordinator Joy Sarr at 801.832.2262 or Westminster's Title IX deputy coordinator Traci Siriprathane. Some options you have include the following:

Complete a formal police report aimed at prosecuting a suspect.

Complete an anonymous police report that gives the police information only—no action is taken, and the suspect is not contacted.

Take action through college disciplinary proceedings. Westminster College reserves the right to pursue enforcement of its own rules, regardless of whether or not legal proceedings are underway or in progress. An individual who chooses not to file a criminal complaint does not relinquish the right to an institutional investigation.

If disciplinary procedures are initiated, both the accused and the accuser are entitled to have others present during investigatory proceedings, and both will be informed of the outcome. Possible disciplinary sanctions for sexual assault include suspension or dismissal from the college.

If you are raped by someone you know (Date Rape/Acquaintance Rape)

Most rapes are committed by someone the victim knows—in fact, a better way to state this is that people who commit such acts often know the victims. This is probably the most frequent kind of rape that occurs on college campuses. Rape victims who know their assailants often experience more guilt and self-blame, and are less likely to report the assault. It is very important to remember that if it occurs against your will, it is a crime.

It is still rape even if you know the attacker and even if you had been intimate with them before. A person has the right to say they do not want any further sexual contact, no matter how much sexual interaction has already taken place. Furthermore, even if the person had earlier agreed to more sexual interaction, they have the right to change their mind. Any further contact is considered to be without the person's consent and therefore against the law.

If you have been assaulted by someone you know, follow the guidelines given above. It is especially important to find someone to talk to about the assault. Remember, it is not your fault—you are the victim. Survivors/victims of threatened or actual sexual assault by strangers or acquaintances may experience one or more common, but highly stressful, reactions. These may include depression, self-blame, intense anxiety, confusion, a feeling of loss of control, and recurring nightmares. These reactions may continue for some time after the assault. Regardless of how recently the assault occurred, or of how severe the reaction, discussing the experience with a trained professional can be very helpful.

Other Procedures

Report all utility interruptions or outages to Plant Operations, 801.832.2515, during regular business hours (M–F 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.). Call Campus Patrol, 801.832.2525 or 801.694.6176, at all other times.

If you are a victim of a crime and do not want to pursue action within Westminster College's system or the criminal justice system, you may still want to consider making a confidential report. With your permission, the director of Campus Patrol or a designee of Campus Patrol can file a report on the details of the incident without revealing your identity. The purpose of the confidential report is to comply with your wish to keep the matter confidential, while taking steps to ensure the future safety of yourself and others. With such information, the college can keep an accurate record of the of the number of incidents involving students; determine where there is a pattern of crime with regards to a particular location, method, or assailant; and alert the campus community to potential danger. Reports filed in this manner are counted and disclosed in the annual crimes statistics for the institution.

Assault

Once Westminster becomes aware that an assault has occurred, an investigation will begin. If a hearing is held, both the accuser and the accused shall have the right to have others present during the disciplinary proceedings and both the accused and the accuser will be informed of the outcome of any campus disciplinary proceeding brought by alleging an assault. A finding that the allegations are justified may result in probation, suspension, or dismissal for the assailant. A complete description of disciplinary procedures can be found in the Policies and Procedures section of the student handbook.

Disciplinary Sanctions for Violations

Students violating Westminster College's substance and alcohol abuse policy will be disciplined according to the Student Code of Conduct set forth in the student handbook. In addition to any of the sanctions set forth in this policy, Westminster College reserves the right to refer all matters in violation of its substance and alcohol policy to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. It is the responsibility of each individual to seek assistance before alcohol and drug problems lead to disciplinary action. A student's decision to seek assistance with an alcohol or substance abuse problem may be considered a mitigating factor in connection with any Westminster College disciplinary sanctions. Depending upon the nature or severity of the violation, a student may be required to be assessed/evaluated by the prevention program coordinator.